One Nation. One People.
22 THURSDAY 2024
The United Kingdom and Liberia have rekindled their collective resolve to work towards key areas in advancing their respective interests at bilateral and multilateral levels, prioritising agriculture, trade, and national security.
The Director of West Africa at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Madam Rebecca Terzeon and the Ambassador of Liberia accredited to London, United Kingdom, H.E Gurly Gibson Schwarz held discussions towards strengthening the commitment of both countries on Thursday the 22nd of February 2024.
Madam Terzeon was welcomed to the London Mission, where Amb. Gibson Schwarz stressed the importance of the United Kingdom’s support to Liberia’s development process.
She reflected on the integral role of Liberians and international partners working together in the orderly and peaceful conduct of the 2024 general and presidential elections. Amb. Gibson Schwarz stressed that her interaction with local and international observation missions highlighted broad-based support for the Liberia democratic process.
During her recent visit to Liberia, Her Excellency highlighted the importance of education in transforming the youth of Liberia. She noted that the UK and Liberia have a strong partnership in this area, as evidenced by the UK’s Chevening Scholarship program. This program sponsors 6 students from Liberia every year to pursue postgraduate studies at the top universities in the United Kingdom.
It was decided during the discussion that an in-person trade mission to Liberia would be given high priority. This mission will allow investors to gain first-hand experience of the immense potential of Liberia. It is also considered to be a crucial follow-up to the UK Liberia Business Briefing that was held in London in 2019, which was noted with optimism.
Stressing, this will drive investment in the areas of tourism, agriculture as well as infrastructure. Liberia’s return to category A of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) additionally witnessed the support of the United Kingdom.
She asserted the close collaboration with the British Embassy in Monrovia and the Embassy of Liberia in London is a catalyst in driving the goals of both countries; pointing to the mobilisation of support for Liberian organisations involved with the electoral process.
Madam Terzeon conveyed the UK government’s commitment to Liberia which extends across key areas of the country’s national development. Health and education have also been supported through the United Nations and other international agencies across Liberia.
Regarding UK-Liberia trade prospects, the FCDO has expressed its intention to continue discussions on how Liberia can take advantage of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) launched by the FCDO last year. The Scheme offers zero tariffs for commodities entering the stream of commerce in the UK from developing countries such as Liberia, allowing Liberia and the UK to trade more freely, assuming a quota-free trade of 85%.
The British International Investment (BII) is also strategising a new pathway to boost Liberia’s business through access to capital. The initiative intends to unite development finance institutions to unlock investment opportunities for different African markets.
Madam Terzeon expressed her desire to visit Liberia and emphasised that the initiatives also reflect support for H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism).
The FCDO Director of West Africa noted that the UK intends to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Liberia to keep the ECOWAS region together and continually help strive for development and stability in Liberia.